Using Photomerge in Adobe Photoshop CS6 - A Beginner's Guide

We are going to take a look today at how easy it is to create a Photomerge panorama using 26 photographs we took in Custer State Park.  We are going to go with just some simple, easy to follow tips.  We will expand this tutorial in the future which will encourage you to begin experimenting, but for now - let's just stick to the basics.  Our example will be how to create this Photomerge directly out of Adobe Photoshop CS6 .

Import your files into Photomerge:

1. Choose File > Automate > Photomerge.
2. Under Source Files in the Photomerge dialog box, choose one of the following from the Use menu:
1. Files: Generates the Photomerge composition using individual files.
2. Folders: Uses all the images stored in a folder to create the Photomerge composition.
3. Specify which images to use by doing one of the following:
1. To select image files or a folder of images, click the Browse button and navigate to the files or folder.
2. To use the images currently open in Photoshop, click Add Open Files.
4. To remove images from the Source File list, select the file and click the Remove button.

Select a Layout option:

• Auto: Photoshop analyzes the source images and applies either a Perspective, Cylindrical, and Spherical layout, depending on which produces a better photomerge.
• For now, let's just stick with the Auto option - this will allow you to learn and play with the Photomerge tool while learning the different functionality.
• Perspective: Creates a consistent composition by designating one of the source images (by default, the middle image) as the reference image. The other images are then transformed so that overlapping content across layers is matched.
• Cylindrical: Reduces the “bow‑tie” distortion that can occur with the Perspective layout by displaying individual images as on an unfolded cylinder. Overlapping content across files is still matched. The reference image is placed at the center. Best suited for creating wide panoramas.
• Spherical: Aligns and transforms the images as if they were for mapping the inside of a sphere. If you have taken a set of images that cover 360 degrees, use this for 360 degree panoramas. 
• Collage: Aligns the layers and matches overlapping content and transforms (rotate or scale) any of the source layers.
• Reposition: Aligns the layers and matches overlapping content, but does not transform (stretch or skew) any of the source layers.

Select any of the following options:

• Blend Images Together: Finds the optimal borders between the images and create seams based on those borders, and to color match the images. With Blend Images Together turned off, a simple rectangular blend is performed. This may be preferable if you intend to retouch the blending masks by hand.
• Vignette Removal: Removes and performs exposure compensation in images that have darkened edges caused by lens flaws or improper lens shading.
• Geometric Distortion Correction: Compensates for barrel, pincushion, or fish-eye distortion.

Let the Magic begin:

      5.  Click OK.

Photoshop creates one multi‑layer image from the source images, adding layer masks as needed to create optimal blending where the images overlap. You can edit the layer masks or add adjustment layers to further fine tune the different areas of the panorama.

And here you go - final image!  We dive deeper into these concepts as we expand this tutorial in the future, but for now - get our there and have some fun!  We hope you enjoyed.

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Source: Adobe Photoshop Help